Exactly 21 years ago, I started my career in banking.
That’s was May 30, 2000.
I was 25 years and a graduate of mechanical engineering. I was scared because I didn’t know what the future held.
That’s was May 30, 2000.
I was 25 years and a graduate of mechanical engineering. I was scared because I didn’t know what the future held.
I have worked for 7 financial institutions and across various units and locations. I have been a teller (cashier), a clearing officer, a funds transfer officer, an account officer/relationship officer, a team lead, a branch manager and Regional Head among other functions
I have worked across various States in Nigeria. I have covered the entire South West and I have worked in Lagos. There are only a few states in Nigeria that I’ve not visited in the course of my career. It has been a very interesting journey.
I recall during the first year of my career. I was on ‘cash movement’. I was detailed to move cash between my branch and the Central Bank. At that time, banks had what we called ‘specie’ cars- those were the 504 station wagons that were fitted for cash movement purposes.
They usually accompanied the bullion vans. The bank staff moving the cash usually sat in between two policemen carrying loaded rifles. Another one sat in front also.
On that particular day, we were on cash movement and was around Dugbe in Ibadan. I sat in between two policemen with siren blasting and the movement cars on full speed. Suddenly, I looked across the road and there was my mum coming from Dugbe market.
We both looked at each other as our car sped past her and I saw her drop the bag she carried as she put both hands on her head in agony. She wailed as we drove past.
Later that night when I got home, my mum told me to resign. She didn’t know that was the kind of job I did. I laughed as I asked her if she had another job for me. She pleaded with me and I can still remember the tears.
My point is: life is in phases. Nobody grows overnight. There is a process involved. Be committed to the process. Don’t rush. Learn your lessons. Develop yourself. Give your career or profession/vocation whatever it deserves. Be ready to go the whole hog.
You may have a disadvantage like I did when starting out but focus on working on yourself. Banking school was tough for me as I grappled with so many new concepts.
I recall that we were 66 but at the end of the banking school, I came 5th in class. I wa so afraid of failure I read on ‘molue’ buses on my way to banking school every morning. It’s not going to be a walk in the park. There are crazy deadlines. Almost impossible targets.
But keep moving. Be hungry for success.
You may not like what you do at the moment. I didn’t start out liking banking. It was just the best job I got then. But the lesson there is when the desirable is not available, make the available desirable.
You may not like what you do at the moment. I didn’t start out liking banking. It was just the best job I got then. But the lesson there is when the desirable is not available, make the available desirable.
I’m so much in love with the career now that I can’t imagine doing anything else. I love the spontaneity of my job. I love the fact that no two days are ever the same. I love the fact that it makes me meet with people and help to solve their problems.
I love to see my customer’s businesses expand and witness growth due to my support. I’m contributing to growing the economy and that’s very significant to me. Find purpose in your work. Locating your purpose in your work will give you career fulfillment.
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